Oldham Athletic

Tope Obadeyi fired Oldham Athletic into a first half lead, smashing home from close range from a Josh Law cross into the box. 

However, the Blades managed to level five minutes into the second half as Jay O’Shea volleyed from the edge of the box.

Latics continued to press but could not find a winner but extended their unbeaten run to four games. 

Manager John Sheridan made a number of changes to his starting line up following injuries and international call ups.

But it would be Latics, who lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, who started the brighter of the two sides. 

Obadeyi raced down a loose ball which goalkeeper Simon Moore had to clear into touch whilst two minutes later the shot stopper dived ahead of the striker to claim a cross.

Lee Erwin and Obadeyi combined on nine minutes as the Leeds loanee found the onrushing striker but the Blades defence just managed to clear the danger.

It was a fast paced, frantic opening 10 minutes of the game but it then started to settle down as the visitors enjoyed more possession. 

Matt Done almost picked out James Hanson in the box but his cross was cut out by the ever-dependable Peter Clarke.

Chris Basham found himself in the referee’s notebook midway through the first half for a late challenge on Ousmane Fane as the Blades caused a succession of corners.

Latics defended them well and forced the first real chance of the game on the half hour mark. 

Erwin found space on the left hand side and his deep cross was met by the onrushing Josh Law but he headed inches over the crossbar. 

Latics started to dictate possession and had chances of their own. 

Paul Green’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked whilst Law’s cross into the box had to be dealt with by Moore in the Sheffield United goal. 

Fane went into the book for a late challenge on Basham on 42 minutes before Latics took the lead minutes later. 

And what a goal it was as well. Fane won the ball in midfield and laid it off to Green. The midfielder found Law on the overlap and his first time cross found Obadeyi from close range who smashed home.

It was nothing more than Latics deserved and they went into the break ahead.

However, they were dealt a blow at half time as Brian Wilson was forced off with injury and he was replaced by George Edmundson.

And five minutes into the second half, the Blades were level.

O’Shea managed to create a yard of space for himself on the edge of the box and he volleyed into the bottom corner to level the scores. 

Latics’ heads did not drop and they continued to create chances in the second half.

Obadeyi set up Fane on the edge of the box but he struck wide whilst Clarke could not convert following Anthony Gerrard’s cross into the box. 

Just after the hour mark, Erwin struck first time from the edge of the box but it hit the side netting as Latics attempted to regain the lead. 

Latics continued to put the pressure on with a succession of corners but did not really trouble Sheffield United stopper Moore.

The Blades put on some late pressure as James Hanson headed wide from a cross into the box from Jack O’Connell. 

Sharp, who was kept quiet for a lot of the afternoon, struck over with only five minutes of the game remaining after he created space for himself.

Two minutes later and the striker was denied from close range by Ripley whilst the follow up was blocked by Gerrard. 

Ripley denied Sharp in additional time from a close range header as Latics held onto a valuable point against the league leaders.